Canon XH A1 1.67MP 3CCD High-Definition Camcorder with 20x Optical Zoom

I've had this camera since 2007. I consider myself a prosumer filmmaker and not a cinematographer. My review is not applicable to professionals but geared towards a niche demographic who can afford not having technology be a culprit to better art. Being a director, I consider camerawork one of many pieces of filmmaking. Such philosophy shows in my review and films, by the way.

One of the first lessons I learned is not having an audience distracted by the quality of the presentation, i.e. video. I can't say the XHA1 makes a film look great. I can say it makes it look not cheap - not recorded from a hand held picked up at W-mart or B-Buy. Post process editing, lighting, cinematography aside you can find better cameras. However, the price point isn't gradual its a giant leap. Being a proponent of Canon, I was quite satisfied with my decision with the XHA1 knowing I couldn't spend anymore.

While there are reasons to shoot in SD or even 4:3, there is no sense to deny yourself HD. Without explaining the advantageous of HD, I'll focus reviewing the camera and say the video looks great in capturing minute details. 16:9 is the only resolution with 24 or 30fps. Image stabilization helps hand-held look near tripod quality. Hint: do not use IS while on a tripod at risk of having the floating camera effect. Since I abhor the "shaky camera" style, I cannot review the differences between IS and not when looking to present that technique.

The camera is as auto or manual control as you like. Many of my imperfections I remedy post-process. Because I compete in timed projects, I practice guerrilla style filmmaking not having the luxury for all the bells and whistles to set up a scene optimally. But they are there when I need them. I shoot mostly wide angle and choose to dolly in/out of my subjects. There is fish-eye effect, keep in mind. You can start shooting in two conveniently placed buttons depending how you wish to hold the camera. There are two levers to control zoom. One fast, the other slow. Favorable to your desired camera technique.

Microphone: It's okay with a little tinniness. Probably one of the weaknesses. I purchased a third-party shotgun mic from Amazon and moved the quality from a C+ to a B.

Durability: The record button on top of the handle is a little screwed up. The spring underneath is worn and sometimes the button doesn't pop up in its place and is pinned under the chassis. Disappointed since I don't use the camera that often and that button even less. Other than that, it holds up fine. Be very careful to never to touch the LCD with your fingers. The smears linger and any pressure smudges the image. The monitor is a guide, judge your work after you pull from miniDV.

Still photography: Others are discouraged if not disappointed that Canon offered a simple, no-brainer feature to a digital commodity. For me, its a feature of convenience and not a substitute for professional DSLR photography. But it is nice on occasion to frame a subject in widescreen. The shutter is noticeably delayed and the quality is film grainy. You will need a separate memory card. I use the camera as a tool to capture moments. Sometimes, a still image is more appropriate.

Battery life: I purchased a larger spare battery from a third-party. You also have the luxury to record and have AC power. The charger works quickly.

I bought a set of filters, again from Amazon. One for fluorescent lighting, one for Neutral Density, and UV to protect the camera. Though the camera has a built in ND filter with feedback, I've encountered such bright days it wasn't enough. The UV lens seemed to make sense to protect your investment until I noticed reflections from the video in my video.

Camera envy: I didn't buy this camera to look cool. I was serious about my endeavors in filmmaking. But since I acquired the camera, companies including Canon are coming up with HD cameras cheaper and of higher resolution as the XHA1. True, they're for consumers and tourists but I do wonder if the benefits of the XHA1 will depreciate. (In fact, I will acquire Canon's latest models after they come out in April). But I'll be honest. If you're going to lead a team of talent and film crew to shoot a project that will be shown in public in a cinema somewhere, best you look the part. No different than your actors. When you take this camera out for action it demands serious attention. Actors know at first sight this isn't home movies. When they see you spent money to capture their appearance and performance they'll feel as serious as you.

This camera is unbelievably overpriced.
It's like they priced it by the pound or by the button.

The imagers are 1/3". Do you know how small that is? Stink out your pinky and look at the quick, smaller than that. Three of those, one for each color is what your image is recorded through. That is what is gathering all the info. And that is why your over half your point and shoot photos are blurry without a flash. It is the same imager as your $99 point and shoot camera. Go buy a $200 point and shoot that takes HD video and you have the same imaging ability of this camera. Everything else is bells and whistles.

If you were offered two cars, both had the same guts and performance, but one had a bunch of bells and whistles and cost more than four times as much, which would you buy?

What is the rest of the money for? A big telephoto lens, that does not help gather more light. It doesn't, compare the f-stop between it and a prosumer camcorder and point and shoot. It does not even have a higher zoom ratio.
The ability to shoot at different resolutions? Big whoop, so do point and shoots.
The ability to shoot at pseudo frame rates? Point and shoots do that too. Most consumer camcorder do that too and the newer camcorders don't have to shoot in lower HD rez...HDV is only 1440 x 1080...not the full 1920x 1080. And the new camcorders don't have to fake it like this one.

XLR hookups, so what, fine add $200. But they probably cost $50 to build on this thing.

Manual controls of wb, shutter, etc. So does a point and shoot for stills, why should doing that for video cost you thousands?

The ability to do slow zooms. WOW...not that is worth thousands more. Are you a zoom freak. Afraid of moving your legs. Afraid of editing? You're buying this thing and you can't edit. When was the last time you saw a slow smooth ZOOM on network tv. Probably a football game. Is that why you are buying this?

What the hell does this thing do that warrants the price difference between it and even the Canon consumer model HD camcorders?

I've used this camera, nothing warrants it.

NOTHING except to look like a pro. And that is what you are paying for, a lame status thing. The ability to change settings with a button instead of a menu. The ability to manually focus with a ring. The ability to hook in pro mics. And the big "look at me" design. Kinda like driving a hummer.
Hey I have a expensive car, I must be important.

Unfortunately that is the stigma attached to videography. In order to sastify your clients ignorance, you must have a "big" camera, even though the same results can be achieved with a $900 camera.

And instead of charging anything realistic to what's really built in this camera, Canon and the industry get together and make up an arbitrary semi-pro, pro price point. One that you really can't or shouldn't pay. This is half the cost of a new car. This four months of mortgage payments.

Nothing in this camera is not in your average point or shoot, except the lens which arguably and comparitively $500 worth of gears and glass.

And of course if you want to look like a pro, you have to buy one of these under-equipped behemoths.

Will this camera make you talented. No. Will this camera, give you abilities you cannot get using something less expensive. NO.

If you have skills you will do fine with a $900 camera.

Are you a budding filmmaker? The only things you should be concerned with...are a 24fps frame rate...and the ability to change lenses.

Neither of these are offered on this camera. 24f is not true 24fps and barely looks like it.

Hey,

I order this camera 2 years ago, it's a great piece of equipment. When I got it the price was $3,250.... it's not $5,000!! I see supply and demand has increased the value. Let that tell you something, but do try to find a better price!! Happy shopping and shooting!!

This camera was purchased for our newspaper. It does even more than we expected it to. A great product creating marvellous pictures and sound especially when we video a local symphony orchestra.

I did my research, and after about two weeks of online forums and reviews I settled on the XH A1 due to its great low-light performance. look for footage tests, comparisons with other non-canon models and siphon through

This camera is probably the best model in its price range. compared to the G1, it's the same, except for a vnc connector panel. aside from that, image quality, on camera controls, preset management, it's all the same. The L lens is just awesome.

the only reservation i have is that it's kind of uncomfortable to hold. I suggest you by an on-shoulder support so that you get less shakier shots and more control. I was aware of this limitation before buying it, but I didn't mind. Just a suggestion.